Moisture and Mold

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Mold and Moisture Dynamics

by Don Prowler, FAIA, Donald Prowler and Associates Revised and expanded by Heinz Trechsel, R.A. FASTM, NAVFAC Washington, Washington DC Last updated: 06-15-2010

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Mo isture in buildings is a majo r co ntributo r to mo ld gro wth, Introduction unhealthy buildings, and po o r indo o r air quality . Wetting o f Description building walls and rainwater leaks are majo r causes o f water Application infiltratio n, but so is excessive indo o r mo isture generatio n.

Relevant Codes and Preventive and remedial measures include rainwater tight detail Standards design; preventio n o f unco ntro lled air mo vement; reductio n o f Additional Resources indo o r air mo isture co ntent; reductio n o f water vapo r diffusio n into walls and ro o fs; selectio n o f building materials with appro priate water transmissio n characteristics; and pro per field wo rkmanship quality co ntro l.

Balancing Security/Safety and Sustainability Objectives Daylighting VIEW ALL RELAT ED (20 ) VIEW RESO URCE PAG E INDEX

A successful metho d fo r deterring rainwater intrusio n into walls is the rain screen appro ach, which inco rpo rates cladding, air cavity, drainage plane, and airtight suppo rt wall to o ffer multiple mo isture-shedding pathways.

The co ncept o f the rain screen principle is to separate the plane in a wall where the rainwater is shed and where the air infiltratio n is sto pped. In terms o f co nstructio n, this means that there is an o uter plane which sheds rainwater but lets air freely circulate, and an inner plane which is relatively airtight. In terms o f pressures, there is no pressure differential acro ss the o uter pane and there is a significant pressure differential acro ss the inner plane.

Because there is no pressure difference acro ss the o uter Fig. 1: Rain Screen plane, there is no driving fo rce to mo ve water indo o rs; because there is no water present at the inner plane, no water will penetrate the inner plane despite the presence o f the driving fo rce o f the pressure PDFmyURL.com

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DESCRIPT ION A. Mold Mo lds are part o f the natural enviro nment and are present everywhere. They are usually no t a pro blem indo o rs. The medical co mmunity appears to be divided regarding the threat o f mo ld, but seems to agree that so me peo ple with allergies are sensitive to mo ld and that in sensitive individuals mo ld can lead to respirato ry diseases.š,² The issue with mo ld then is no t to prevent any mo ld gro wth, o r to eliminate any existing mo ld gro wth, but to co ntro l it within acceptable limits.

To gro w, o r to establish itself, mo ld requires at least fo ur elements: mo ld spo res, o rganic matter (like wo o d, paper, and drywall), mo isture, and warmth. No te that the mere presence o f humid air do es no t necessarily pro mo te mo ld gro wth, except where air with a relative humidity (RH) level at o r abo ve 8 0 % is in co ntact with a surface. Carried by air currents, mo ld spo res can reach all surfaces and cavities o f buildings. If these surfaces and/o r cavities are warm, and co ntain the right nutrients and amo unts o f mo isture, the mo ld spo res will gro w and gradually destro y the things they gro w o n. To co ntro l mo ld gro wth, designers sho uld fo cus o n co ntro lling mo isture indo o rs and o n the temperatures o f all surfaces, including interstitial surfaces within walls.

In additio n to mo ld, o ther o rganisms such as bacteria, mites, co ckro aches, and insects that are kno wn to infest buildings also depend o n mo isture. And finally, excessive high mo isture co ntent o f thermal insulatio ns reduces effective insulatio n rates by as much as 50 %. Fo r all these reaso ns, mo isture co ntro l must be a primary co nsideratio n in bo th the design o f new buildings and in the reno vatio n o f existing structures.

The remainder o f this Reso urce Page will fo cus o n the so urces o f excessive mo isture and so me strategies to prevent water infiltratio n into buildings.

B. Moist ure Dynamics Concept s and Def init ions Psychrometrics: The study o f air-water mixtures is called psychro metric. The relatio nship between air temperature, mo isture co ntent, and humidity has been co dified in a diagram called the psychro metric chart that is indispensable fo r understanding co ndensatio n. Amo ng o ther things, it indicates the dew po int temperature o f any air-water vapo r mixture.

Water Vapor Permeance and Permeability: Permeability is a material pro perty; permeance is a pro duct pro perty. Fo r bo ard materials, usually permeability is given; fo r thin membranes, it is custo mary to pro vide their permeance.

Permeance: The rate o f water vapo r transmissio n thro ugh unit area o f a flat pro duct induced by unit vapo r pressure between its two surfaces. In Inch/Po und units, Permeance is given in the unit "perm," where o ne perm equals a transmissio n rate o f 1 grain o f water per ho ur fo r PDFmyURL.com

the unit "perm," where o ne perm equals a transmissio n rate o f 1 grain o f water per ho ur fo r each square fo o t o f area per inch o f mercury (gr/h•ft²•in.Hg). (1 grain is 1/70 0 o f a po und.) In Metric/SI units, Permeance is given in nano grams o f water per seco nd per seco nd fo r each square meter o f area per Pascal o f Vapo r pressure (ng/so m2o Pa). One perm equals a flo w rate o f 57 ng/s•m²•Pa. Permeability: The time rate o f water vapo r transmissio n thro ugh unit area o f a material o f unit thickness induced by unit vapo r pressure difference between its two surfaces. In Inch/Po nd units, permeability is given as "perm," where o ne perm equals a transmissio n rate o f 1 grain o f water per ho ur fo r each square fo o t o f area per inch o f mercury (gr/h•ft•in.Hg).

Permeability is also so metimes given as perm per inch. In Metric/SI units, permeability is given in nano grams o f water per seco nd fo r each square meter o f area per thickness in meters per Pascal o f Vapo r pressure (ng/s•m•Pa).

Vapor and Air Retarders: These materials inhibit the unco ntro lled flo w o f air and water vapo r thro ugh the building envelo pe: Vapor Retarders: A membrane o r paint film having a water vapo r transmissio n rate o f less than o ne perm, used to reduce the rate and vo lume o f water vapo r diffusio n thro ugh ceilings, walls, o r flo o rs. Membranes are generally thin flexible materials, such as po lyethylene, while co atings are typically o f asphaltic, resino us, o r po lymeric co mpo sitio n and applied by tro wels o r brushes (fo r mo re pro duct info rmatio n, see Pro duct Suppliers and Manufacturers sectio n belo w).

Air Retarder: A membrane having a water vapo r permeance o f no less than 5 perm restricting the flo w o f air to l/s and used to reduce air infiltratio n and exfiltratio n thro ugh a building assembly, yet allo wing water vapo r to easily diffuse tho ugh it. A co mmo n type o f air retarder is co mpo sed o f fiber-reinfo rced po lyo lefin. All jo ints and seams in air retarders must be sealed to create an effective air retarder. ASTM Internatio nal specifies that a material must have a perm rating o f 5.0 o r higher to qualify as an air retarder. See also WBDG Air Barrier Systems in Buildings. So that it is po ssible to seal an air retarder co rrectly, the wall needs to be detailed carefully and with the sequence o f installatio n in mind.

Air/Vapor Retarders: A membrane meeting the water vapo r resistance rating o f a vapo r retarder co mbined with the air infiltratio n characteristics o f an air retarder, used to restrict bo th the rate and vo lume o f air and o f water vapo r thro ugh ceilings, walls, and flo o r elements. Air/vapo r retarders may be co nstructed fro m po lyethylene, extruded po lystyrene, fo il-co vered fo ams, and exterio r sheathings. All jo ints, air/vapo r retarders seams, and penetratio ns, including at windo ws, do o rs, electrical o utlets, plumbing stacks, and vents must be effectively sealed. Detailing and installatio n requirements fo r Air/Vapo r Retarders are the same as fo r Air Retarders.

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Fig. 2: Installation of Combined Air and Water Retarder (Courtesy of Commonwealth of Massachusetts) Left: The same material can be both an air and vapor retarder. And Right: The photo shows a system that uses a peel- and - stick material as both the vapor retarder and air retarder.

The material is installed over the gypsum sheathing but on the warm- in- winter side of two inches of extruded polyethylene insulation.

Moisture Movement: Mo isture can mo ve thro ugh and into building co mpo nents in three majo r ways: by rainwater impingement o r leakage, mo vement o f mo isture laden air, and by diffusio n.

Rainwater Impingement and Leakage: Even tho ugh rain is infrequent in so me parts o f the U.S., rainwater leaks and impingement are po tentially the greatest co ntributo rs to water in building elements. Unless a ro o f o r wall is serio usly deterio rated, rainwater has the tendency to enter at discrete lo catio ns, which can mo re easily be identified and sto pped. Further, as a rule rains are fo llo wed by dry weather, allo wing the wall o r ro o f to dry o ut.

Movement of Moist Air (Mass Transport): Because o f air pressure differences, air mo ves into and o ut o f building walls due to wind actio n, stack effect , o r due to the actio n o f mechanical ventilatio n. Mass transpo rt o f water thro ugh air mo vement is po tentially the seco nd mo st impo rtant mechanism fo r mo isture intrusio n into building walls and ro o fs. Ho wever, the air pressure difference and the air and mo isture mo vement into o r o ut o f the building envelo pe can change drastically depending o n wind directio n and speed, level in the building, and o peratio n o f the mechanical system.

Vapor Diffusion: Differences in water vapo r pressures between inside and o utside o f the building envelo pe cause water vapo r to mo ve by diffusio n thro ugh the building envelo pe and thro ugh building materials. Water vapo r will be driven fro m high vapo r pressure areas to lo wer pressure; in winter fro m the inside to ward the exterio r; in air-co nditio ned buildings in warm climates to ward the interio r. Diffusio n o f mo isture thro ugh envelo pe materials is generally a slo w pro cess, and in terms o f the amo unt o f mo isture transfer, it is po tentially far less serio us than mass transpo rt. Diffusio n can be fairly steady o ver lo ng perio ds, po ssibly o n a seaso nal basis, and reversals, which wo uld dry o ut the cavities, are less frequent.

Because o f this, diffusio n can still lead to significant amo unts o f water transpo rt and accumulatio n within building envelo pes and their co nstituent materials o ver lo ng perio ds PDFmyURL.com

with attendant significant po tential to cause deterio ratio n.

Altho ugh rainwater and mass transpo rt o f mo isture thro ugh air mo vement are likely to be many times greater than diffusio n, it do es no t necessarily fo llo w that damage fro m rainwater and air mo vement is also that many times greater.

Rain is intermittent and allo ws drying o ut between rainfalls.

The mo isture transpo rted by mo ist air is significant, but no t all the mo isture is depo sited within the co nstructio n; so me passes harmlessly thro ugh the building envelo pe.

Air mo vement is o ften dependent o n wind directio n. When the directio n changes, so do es the directio n o f the air mo vement, wetting beco mes drying.

Bo th rainwater leaks and air leaks generally o ccurs at discrete lo catio ns (e.g., cracks, jo ints) and do no t affect the wall o r ro o f o ver their entire surface.

Diffusio n is a slo w pro cess but changes directio n infrequently. Mo isture can mo ve by diffusio n into wall cavities o ver a perio d o f several mo nths witho ut reversal, slo wly saturating materials and causing deterio ratio n.

C. Sources of Excessive Moist ure in Buildings and t heir Reduct ion Excessive mo isture in buildings can result fro m a number o f causes: Rainwater leaks thro ugh ro o fs and walls Leakage o f mo ist air Diffusio n o f mo isture thro ugh walls, ro o fs, and flo o rs Gro undwater intrusio n into basements and crawl spaces thro ugh walls and flo o rs Leaking o r burst water pipes Indo o r mo isture so urces and Co nstructio n mo isture.

Rainwater Leaks: The co ntro l o f rainwater leaks has been the subject o f go o d building practices fo r as lo ng as human habitatio ns have been built. Even infrequent but serio us leaks during heavy sto rms can lead to mo ld infestatio n, are anno ying, and can cause serio us damage to buildings and their co ntents. Less severe but mo re frequent leaks and slo w but persistent leaks can cause equally serio us damage.

Leakage of Moist Air: Warm and mo ist indo o r air co ndenses o n co ld surfaces and interstitial planes inside co nstructio ns. This mo isture can be sto red harmlessly within co nstructio n materials o r can cause mo ld gro wth and deterio ratio n. Excessive mo isture co ntent in wo o d can cause mo ld gro wth and dry ro t o n wo o d, rust o n unpro tected steel, and lo ss o f insulating value in thermal insulatio ns.

Duffusion of Moisture through Walls, Roofs, and Floors: Diffusio n, as a result o f differing vapo r pressures acro ss walls o r ro o fs mo ves mo isture thro ugh building materials. Materials with lo w permeancies allo w little vapo r transmissio n; materials with high permeancies allo w mo re mo isture transmissio n. Co nventio n calls materials with a Permeance o f 1 perm (in SI units, 57 nano gramso f water per seco nd fo r each square meter o f area) "vapo r retarders." No te that the diffusio n is dependent o n vapo r pressure resulting fro m differences in temperature and relative humidity o f the air o n the two sides o f the wall o r o f individual materials.

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Groundwater Intrusion: Intrusio n o f gro undwater into basements and crawl spaces is co mmo n.

This can result fro m a high water table o r fro m rainwater runo ff so aking into the gro und at the basement/crawl space walls. Because mo st basements and crawl spaces are co nnected thro ugh cracks, pipe chases, and stairways to the rest o f the building, mo ist air fro m wet basements and crawl spaces will find their way into o ccupied and o ther spaces abo ve.

Leaking or Burst Water Pipes: The preventio n and repair o f burst o r leaking pipes is the respo nsibility o f plumbers. Except fo r o ld steel and iro n pipes and fro zen pipes, there sho uld be little co ncern fo r this issue. Ho wever, in so me geo graphic areas, recently installed co pper pipes have been fo und to develo p small pinho le penetratio ns leading to slo w but co nstant leaks. In general, co rrectly installed pipes made o f quality materials sho uld no t be a pro blem fo r many years after installatio n.

Indoor Moisture Sources: Human o ccupancy: breathing, perspiratio n, co o king, bathing, and clo thing washing can add significant amo unts o f mo isture to buildings. Kitchens and bathro o ms sho uld be independently vented and washers need to be vented o utdo o rs. Open sumps, aquariums, indo o r swimming po o ls, and ho t tubs, as well as excessive indo o r plants can increase indo o r humidity beyo nd the reco mmended 30 to 50 percent. Mo isture so urces sho uld, where po ssible, be co vered by tight lids when no t in use.

Construction Moisture: Wet co nstructio n materials, such as in-situ cast co ncrete and lumber sto red unpro tected o utdo o rs prio r to installatio n can increase indo o r humidity significantly during the first o ne to two years o f o ccupancy.

D. Design Recommendat ions The traditio nal way o f preventing mo isture pro blems in walls and ro o fs was the installatio n o f what then was called vapo r barriers, no w mo re accurately referred to as vapo r retarders. There are a few co mmo nly quo ted, prescriptive rules o f thumb fo r lo cating vapo r retarders in walls and ro o fs, so me o f which are listed belo w. While these rules still may be useful as first cut appro ximatio ns, the designer must co nsider the entire array o f go o d practices, needs to co nduct a jo b specific analysis, and must understand lo cal climatic co nditio ns and building practices.

Rainwater leaks and wetting o f permeable wall exterio rs are reco gnized as the majo r mo isture transpo rt mechanisms into walls. Therefo re, shedding o f rainwater, ro o f o verhangs, and appro priate water repellant finishes sho uld be co nsidered to reduce mo isture infiltratio n into wall co nstructio ns.

Rainwater leaks are mo st co mmo n at the jo ints between co mpo nents, no tably between walls and windo ws and do o rs, at sills, and at ro o f/wall intersectio ns. Specify appro priate sealants to prevent water infiltratio n.

So me new materials have no t withsto o d the test o f time no r have reliable test metho ds.

Therefo re, designers specifying inno vative materials must carefully review available data regarding perfo rmance, co mpatibility, and installatio n requirements.

Building walls can be classified as "face sealed" o r as "drained" walls. Face sealed walls have o nly o ne single defense against rainwater. An example is face sealed Exterio r PDFmyURL.com

Insulatio n and Finish Systems (EIFS) aka synthetic stucco . Unless perfectly o r near perfectly installed, face sealed walls will fail and so adequate pro visio n fo r field quality co ntro l in the specificatio ns is mandato ry. Drained walls have a seco ndary barrier to water penetratio n and pro vide a means to drain water that may have penetrated the first water barrier. An example wo uld be maso nry veneer walls that include a drain cavity.

To prevent water accumulatio n in basements and crawl spaces: seal the belo w-grade walls; install a vapo r retarder and a capillary break o n the flo o r o f the crawl space o r belo w the basement flo o r slab; install drains and sumps; drain do wnspo uts and rainwater runo ff away fro m the building; and slo pe the grade away fro m the fo undatio n. See also WBDG Achieving Sustainable Site Design thro ugh Lo w Impact Develo pment Practices.

Mo vement o f mo isture-laden air into wall and ro o f cavities is the seco nd mo st pro minent mo isture transpo rt mechanism. Acco rdingly, select co nstructio n details that prevent mo ist air fro m infiltrating. In co ld climates during the winter, this means prevent indo o r air fro m exfiltrating thro ugh the wall; in warm climates, prevent mo ist o utside air fro m infiltrating.

Pressurizatio n and depressurizatio n o f the indo o r space can assist in this effo rt. Ho wever, in high-rise buildings, stack effect may negate pressure gradients resulting fro m mechanical ventilatio n. See also WBDG Air Barrier Systems in Buildings .

In co ld climates, lo cate the vapo r diffusio n retarder o n the warm side o f the exterio r insulatio n. So me building scientists suggest including an interio r vapo r retarder o nly in co ld climate areas with 8 ,0 0 0 heating degree-days o r abo ve, but no lo ng-term empirical data exists to justify this practice at this time.

In co o ling-do minated climates, install a vapo r retarder o n the exterio r o f the insulatio n. In mixed zo nes—climates with bo th significant heating and co o ling requirements—o mit a vapo r diffusio n retarder in favo r o f mo re attentio n to air leakage co ntro l. In warm and humid climates, co nsider installing a vapo r impermeable finish o n the exterio r.

As a rule, it is better to o mit a vapo r retarder than to install o ne where it is no t required.

Never install vinyl wallpaper o n the interio r o f exterio r walls in warm climates.

Eliminate the po ssibility fo r water vapo r to co ndense within a building assembly. This can be achieved a number o f ways: Seal building assemblies and/o r install an air retarding membrane to reduce air leakage into wall/ceiling cavities. Pay particular attentio n to penetratio ns between co nditio ned and unco nditio ned spaces as a result o f plumbing stacks, wiring, ductwo rk, electrical o utlets, etc.

Inco rpo rate vapo r retarding membranes that inhibit the diffusio n o f warm, humid air into the building wall cavities; Reduce o pen water so urces and pro tect building materials fro m the elements prio r to installatio n; and Co o rdinate the perfo rmance o f the building's heating and co o ling system so as to co ntro l the indo o r air humidity and the pressure o f the indo o r air relative to the pressure o f the exterio r. Ideally, maintain the indo o r relative humidity between 30 % and 50 %. See also WBDG High-Perfo rmance HVAC. Pro vide clear specificatio ns that include appro priate and effective field quality co ntro l and inspectio n pro visio ns, which are as impo rtant as pro per design and material selectio n.

Clarify whether a vapo r diffusio n retarder, an air retarding membrane, an air retarder PDFmyURL.com

Clarify whether a vapo r diffusio n retarder, an air retarding membrane, an air retarder co nstructio n appro ach, o r so me co mbinatio n o f these strategies will be used in the building.

Include requirements fo r enviro nmental co nditio ns when sealers and caulks can be applied.

E. Met hods of Const ruct ion Fo llo wing are so me issues to co nsider and strategies to implement during co nstructio n to prevent mo isture infiltratio n:

Left: Proper installation is as important as a good design in preventing water infiltration. And Right: Thermal bridges through building envelopes can cause condensation and cold interior surfaces. One solution is to install insulation both on the floor and ceiling of the concrete slab for a few feet.

Make sure all vapo r retarders and air-retarding systems are installed co ntinuo usly. These systems are o nly as effective as their weakest po int. Make sure all jo ints and penetratio ns are sealed. See also WBDG Air Barrier Systems in Buildings .

When using co atings with lo w perm ratings, specify the sealing o f all cracks at jo ints and penetratio ns to prevent air leakage. The Airtight Drywall Appro ach (ADA) and Simple Caulk and Seal (SimpleCS) (pro no unced "Simplex") are two appro aches that rely o n co ated materials with effective air sealing instead o f po lyethylene wrapping.

Pay careful attentio n to po tential thermal bridges thro ugh building envelo pes that can cause co ld interio r surfaces and co ndensatio n. Elements such as co ntinuo us cantilevered beams o r balco ny slabs and expo sed so ffits can create mo isture pro blems.

In retro fits, installing a separate vapo r diffusio n retarder is usually co st-pro hibitive. "Vapo r retarder" paints are an effective o ptio n in this case. Mo st paint experts agree that, fo r this purpo se, glo ssy paints wo rk better than flat paints; acrylic paints are generally better than latex paints; and the mo re co ats applied, the better.

F. Analysis and Design Tools PDFmyURL.com

Always co nduct a jo b specific mo isture analysis. The o nly exceptio n wo uld be fo r a building that is identical o r very similar to an existing successful building in the same general lo catio n, has the same o ccupancy, and is co nstructed o f the same materials. The analysis can be a simple manual o r graphic metho d, o r, preferably, a co mputer-based mo del. As a rule, analysis metho ds apply to "typical" wall sectio ns. It must be reco gnized that thermal breaks, co rners, windo w surro und details, and o ther ano malies can be the critical elements and analysis results must therefo re be used with care.

Manual Method—Dew Point Method, Glaser, and Kieper Diagrams: All manual metho ds are based o n steady-state analysis. That is, the analysis is made fo r specific co nditio ns, which that designer selects. It is reco mmended that the analysis be made fo r mo re than o ne set o f assumed co nditio ns; specifically, fo r bo th summer and winter co nditio ns. Manual metho ds are primarily useful fo r co mparing similar wall designs o r walls inco rpo rating different wall materials.

Computer-Based Methods are based o n dynamic analysis using weather data fo r specific lo catio ns. Mo st use ho urly weather data. The mo st co mmo nly used metho ds are MOIST, develo ped by the Natio nal Institute o f Standards and Techno lo gy (NIST), and WUFI ORNL/IBP, develo ped jo intly by Oak Ridge Natio nal Labo rato ry and the Fraunho fer Institute fo r Building Physics. The advantage o f these pro grams is that they mo del the mo isture and thermal co nditio ns o f a selected design o ver a perio d, usually o ver a o ne- to two -year cycle, using typical weather data. The mo re advanced mo dels include such refinements as the effect o f water impingement o n walls, and air and water leakage. Ho wever, in many instances the designer has little o r no data to develo p ratio nal input data. Fo r this reaso n, less so phisticated mo dels serve the practitio ner almo st as well as the mo st so phisticated o nes.

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APPLICAT ION All structures sho uld be co ncerned with mo isture co ntro l. Special attentio n must be given to facilities which have a pro pensity to generate high interio r humidity, such as indo o r swimming po o ls, co mmercial kitchens and laundries, ho t tubs, gymnasiums, tennis co urts with Har-Tru® o r similar surfaces, and all air-co nditio ned buildings in warm and humid climates.

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RELEVANT CODES AND STANDARDS ASHRAE Handbook—Fundamentals by American So ciety o f Heating, Refrigeratio n, and AirCo nditio ning Engineers, (revised every 4 years).

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ADDIT IONAL RESOURCES WBDG PDFmyURL.com

Design Objectives Functio nal / Operatio nal , Histo ric Preservatio n—Update Building Systems Appro priately , Sustainable, Sustainable—Enhance Indo o r Enviro nmental Quality Products and Systems Building Envelo pe Design Guide: Belo w Grade Systems, Fo undatio n Walls, Flo o r Slabs , Plazas, Tunnels, Vaults, Wall Systems, Exterio r Insulatio n and Finish System (EIFS), Maso nry Wall Systems, Panelized Metal Wall Systems, Thin Sto ne Wall Systems Federal Green Co nstructio n Guide fo r Specifiers: 0 1 6 7 0 0 (0 16 11) Enviro nmental Pro duct Requirements 0 1 74 13 (0 1740 ) Pro gress Cleaning 0 1 78 23 (0 18 30 ) Operatio n & Maintenance Data 0 5 0 5 0 0 (0 50 50 ) Co mmo n Wo rk Results fo r Metals 0 6 0 5 73 (0 6 0 70 ) Wo o d Treatment 0 6 10 0 0 (0 6 10 0 ) Ro ugh Carpentry 0 6 16 0 0 (0 6 10 0 ) Sheathing 0 6 20 0 0 (0 6 20 0 ) Finish Carpentry 0 6 6 0 0 0 (0 6 6 0 0 ) Plastic Fabricatio ns 0 6 9 0 0 0 (0 6 70 0 ) Alternative Agricultural Pro ducts 0 7 9 2 0 0 (0 79 0 0 ) Jo int Sealants 0 8 14 0 0 (0 8 210 ) Wo o d Do o rs 0 8 50 0 0 (0 8 50 0 ) Windo ws 0 9 29 0 0 (0 9 250 ) Gypsum Bo ard 0 9 30 0 0 (0 9 30 0 ) Tiling 0 9 51 0 0 (0 9 510 ) Aco ustical Ceilings 0 9 6 5 0 0 (0 9 6 50 ) Resilient Flo o ring 0 9 6 5 16 .13 (0 9 6 54) Lino leum Flo o ring 0 9 6 8 0 0 (0 9 6 8 0 ) Carpeting 0 9 72 0 0 (0 9 720 ) Wall Co verings 0 9 9 0 0 0 (0 9 9 0 0 ) Painting & Co ating 11 13 0 0 (1116 0 ) Lo ading Do ck Equipment 11 30 0 0 (11450 ) Residential Equipment 11 28 0 0 (116 8 0 ) Office Equipment 12 10 0 0 (1210 0 ) Artwo rk 12 48 13 (1248 2) Entrance Flo o r Mats and Frames 12 59 0 0 (1270 0 ) Systems Furniture 23 70 0 0 (1570 0 ) Central HVAC Equipment

Organiz at ions American Industrial Hygiene Asso ciatio n —A pro fessio nal asso ciatio n that has a series o f articles o n mo ld, as well as a list o f accredited labo rato ries fo r mo ld testing.

American Lung Asso ciatio n —A vo luntary health o rganizatio n that, amo ng o ther things, pro vides easy to understand info rmatio n o n health aspects o f mo ld and air quality to pics.

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ASTM Internatio nal—Publishes reference material o n specifying retarding materials.

No rth American Insulatio n Manufacturers Asso ciatio n (NAIMA) —A trade asso ciatio n fo r manufacturers o f fiberglass, ro ck wo o l, and slag wo o l insulatio n.

Product Suppliers and Manuf act urers Info rmatio n o n air and vapo r retarding pro ducts can be fo und under Co nstructio n Specificatio n Institute o r First So urce Divisio n 7: Thermal Pro tectio n, Sectio ns 0 726 0 (vapo r retarders) and 0 7272 (air infiltratio n retarders) Manufacturers o f air and vapo r retarders are o ften insulatio n manufacturers. They are represented by insulatio n trade and pro fessio nal asso ciatio ns such as Cellulo se Insulatio n Manufacturers Asso ciatio n (CIMA) and No rth American Insulatio n Manufacturers Asso ciatio n (NAIMA).

Publicat ions—Moist ure Cont rol Energy Efficient Building Asso ciatio n's (EEBA) Builder's Guides (fo r fo ur climate areas) by Jo e Lstiburek. EEBA, 19 9 7.—Guidebo o ks o n mo isture co ntro l, energy efficiency and ventilatio n fo r new ho me design.

Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments by New Yo rk City Department o f Health & Mental Hygiene, Bureau o f Enviro nmental & Occupatio nal Disease Epidemio lo gy.—A co mprehensive set o f guidelines fo r ho w to appro ach the investigatio n and cleanup o f mo ld in buildings. Other states have established specific guidelines regarding mo ld remediatio n. Check with lo cal state health departments.

Moisture Analysis and Condensation Control in Building Envelopes by H.R. Trechsel, edito r.

American So ciety o f Testing Materials (ASTM), 20 0 1. Manual Series; MNL40 , ISBN 0 -8 0 3120 8 9 -3. Available fro m ASTM. Moisture Control Handbook: Principles and Practices for Residential and Small Commercial Buildings by J. Lstiburek and J. Carmo dy. New Yo rk, NY: Van No strand Reinho ld Co ., 19 9 3.

Moisture Control in Buildings by H.R. Trechsel, edito r. American So ciety o f Testing Materials (ASTM), 19 9 4. Manual Series MNL18 , ISBN 0 -8 0 31-20 51-6 . Available fro m ASTM. Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation, S520 by Institute o f Inspectio n, Cleaning and Resto ratio n Certificatio n (IICRC). Vanco uver, WA: IICRC, Dec. 20 0 3.

—A pro cedural standard and reference guide fo r the remediatio n o f mo ld damaged structures and co ntents.

Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration, S500 by Institute o f Inspectio n, Cleaning and Resto ratio n Certificatio n (IICRC). Vanco uver, WA: IICRC, 19 9 9 .

—One o f the basic guides fo r dealing with extensive mo isture damage.

Technical Note X485H: Condensation—Causes and Control by American Plywo o d Asso ciatio n.

Vapor Barriers or Vapor Diffusion Retarders by U.S. Department o f Energy, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Netwo rk (EREN). Sept. 20 0 5.

Water in Buildings: An Architect's Guide to Moisture and Mold by William B. Ro se. New Yo rk, PDFmyURL.com

NY: Jo hn Wiley & So ns, Inc., April 20 0 5. ISBN: 0 -471-46 8 50 -9 .

Publicat ions—Mold and Healt h Concerns A Brief Guide to Mold in the Workplace, SHIB 03-10-10 by U.S. Department o f Labo r, Occupatio nal Safety and Health Administratio n (OSHA).

Mold—Got Mold? Frequently Asked Questions About Mold by H. Ammann. Olympia, WA: Washingto n State Department o f Health.—Extensive review o f mo ld types and their health effects.

Mold in Homes by Minneso ta Department o f Health, Indo o r Air Unit. St. Paul, MN: 20 0 1.

—Go o d so urce o f health info rmatio n fo r co nsumers who want to kno w what to do abo ut mo ld and mo isture pro blems.

Mold Resources by U.S. Enviro nmental Pro tectio n Agency. Washingto n, D.C.—Pro vides a summary o f the key issues and extensive links to health-related gro ups and indo o r air quality to pics. ¹Harriet A. Burge, H. Jenny Su, and John Spengler, " Moisture, Organisms, and Health Effects," Manual on Moisture Control in Buildings , Heinz Trechsel, Ed. ASTM Manual MNL 18, American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, 1994, pp. 84- 90.

²Steve M. Hays, " Health Issues: Toxicity, Occupancy and Air Quality," Mold, Moisture, Misery and Money , Building Environment and Thermal Envelope Symposium Spring symposium, Washington, DC 2003

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